Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Thursday announced that all 412 gram panchayats in Shimla district will be connected with an optical fibre cable (OFC)-based high-speed broadband network under the Amended BharatNet project of the Union Government. The initiative aims to expand digital services and strengthen access to e-governance, online education, telemedicine, digital banking, and various government services in rural areas.
Project Scope and Progress
Kashyap, chairing a meeting on the project, stated that a 3,691-km optical fibre cable is proposed to be laid across Shimla district. He emphasized that upon completion, these gram panchayats will have access to high-speed Internet, which will be more secure, reliable, and uninterrupted. Currently, about 40 km of optical fibre has been laid in Basantpur block, connecting 10 gram panchayats to the network. In Mashobra block, work for laying 299 km of cable has been completed, connecting 28 gram panchayats.
Work Orders and Status
Work orders have been issued for Chhohara, Rampur, and Rohru blocks, while work is on hold in Kupvi and Nankhari blocks. Surveys and other preparatory work are in progress in Narkanda, Tutu, Jubbal-Kotkhai, and Theog blocks. Kashyap noted that the project will enable effective operation of online services at the panchayat level, allowing rural citizens to access various government schemes and digital services in their areas.
Boosting Rural Economy and Digital India
Kashyap added that the project will boost the rural economy and provide a strong foundation for the Digital India campaign. Officials from BSNL and other government departments attended the meeting.
